Traction apparatus for agricultural implements



R. B. OTWELL March 12, 1929.

TRACTION APPARATUS FOR AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENTS Filed April 1927 5 Sheets-Sheet March 12, 1929. QTWELL 1,705,307

TRACTION APPARATUS FOR AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENTS' Filed April 1927 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Gnome March 12, 1929.

R; B. OTWELL TRACTION APPARATUS FOR AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENTS Filed April 1927 5 Sheets-Sheet Ill/ Ill /////i//// II III Ir l/l/ March 12, 1929. R. B. OTWELL TRACTION APPARATUS FOR AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENTS Filed April 1927 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 March 12, 1929. R. B. OTWELL TRACTION APPARATUS FOR AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENTS Filed April 9, 1927 5 Sheets-Sheet Patented Mar. 12, 1929.

"UNITED STA res PATENT OFFICE."

RALPI-Il B. OTWELL, OF DETROIT, MICI-I IGAN, ASSIGNOR TO DETROIT HARVESTER COM- PANY, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN,

A CORPORATION OF MICHIGAN..

TRACTION APPARATUS FOR AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENTS.

Application filed April 9,

My invention relates to a traction device, for hauling agricultural implements and other work for which it is adapted.

It is wellknown that the engine and other parts of automobiles are often in good condition for extended use long after the owner is ready to discard the vehicle in which they are installed on account of its model or appearance, and especially is this true of certain types of automobiles but as the amount allowed on an exchange for a new car is relatively small, the owner while desiring a new vehicle for business or pleasure, hesitates to discard his old car at practicallya total loss and assume the expense of a new motor vehicle so long as the old one may be operated. Especially is this true in farming communities where the farmer-owner knows that many years of usefulness are still possible to the engine and other working parts of the car, but on account of the general appearance of the vehicle it cannot be longer used for the purpose it was originally designed with any degree of satisfaction.

The object therefore of the present invenv tion, is to provide means whereby the engine and certain other parts of a well-known type of motor vehicle may be installed in a supporting frame adapted for hauling the usual type of horsedrawn agricultural tools such as cultivators, hay rakes, harrows, mowers, corn planters, and to perform any farm, garden, or lawnwork ordinarily done by horse or team. v

It will be evident therefore that in providing means whereby the engine and other parts of a'motor vehicle may extend their period of usefulness, the owner immediately becomes a prospect for a pleasure or commercial vehicle to replace the one from which the engine and partshave been removed in the creation of a new tract-ion apparatus for farm, garden, or lawn work. i

It will be obvious therefore that one object of the present invention is to provide an acceptable outlet for motors and other part-s which have outlived their usefulness in pleasure or commercial vehicles, but which still remain serviceable for years in another line of work. Y

A further object of the invention is to provide means adapted to receive the tongue or pole of different types of horse-drawn farm tools,the constructionbeing such that the tongues of machines at varying altitudes tion apparatus without disturbing or inter fering with the other mechanism,for example the owner mayinstall traction wheels designed particularly for such work as hoelng corn, cultivating, raking, etc., or the wheels may bereplaced by others of wider tread for hillside farming or other work.

A further object of the invention is to pro vide means whereby any slack occurring in the driving chain may be readily taken up, and also for protecting the traction wheel bearings and the sprocket gears and driving chain against the entry of dirt, sand or gravel.

In carrying the invention into effect a suitable divided frame, bolted together to form a single unit, supports the prime mover of a discarded automobile mounted thereon ;.the, side walls of the divided frame carrying a pair of stub axles on which are mounted sprocket wheels respectively bolted to the hubs of the traction wheels of the apparatus.

The sprocket wheels, bolted to the traction wheels, are enclosed in dust-proof casesin-.

tegral with the divided frame-which also cover the driving chains and the small driving sprocketwheels mounted on the differential axle or shaft,cut down to adapt it for present use and driven by a shortened propeller shaft by the power unit. The sprocket chain connection between the small and'the large sprocketwheels, provides the necessary speed reduction and driving connection for the traction wheels. i

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention further resides in the combination'and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and cl'aimed,'it being-understood that changes may be made in the precise 'embodi ment of the invention herein disclosed without departing from the spirit of the same.

In the drawings accompanying this s'pecifif cation Figural is a side elevation partly in section, of the traction ap Jaratus showing graphically in dotted lines a cultivator coupled therewith,' the cover of the driving sprocket wheel case having been removed to show the driving connection between the power unit and the traction wheels.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the apparatus shown in Figure 1 indicating in dotted lines the traction apparatus turned-as when rounding a curveby steering mechanism controlled by a steering wheel from the seat of the agricultural implement.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary plan view partly in section showing the eccentric mounting of one of the stub axles carried by a hub in the supporting frame its spindle extending into the hub of a sprocket wheel bolted to the traction wheel,,-'the view also disclosing aworm and sector on the steering post for controlling the traction apparatus from the seat of the agricultural in'nplement.

Figure l is a fragmentary side elevation showing the mechanism for operating the foot pedals controlling the speed and direction' taken by the traction apparatus.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken on or about line 5-5 of Figure 4t showing in dotted lines the foot pedals and the rocking paddles for operating the same.

Figure 6 is. a fragmentary elevation and sectional view through the sprocket wheel case and axle taken on or about line 6-6 of Figure 3 showing the eccentric mounting of the axle in the hub of the supporting frame.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of the coupling member, carried by the traction apparatus for connecting the farming implements thereto. 7

Referring now to the letters of reference placed upon the drawings: 7

A, A, denote the members of a divided frame of thetraction apparatus bolted to gether at a to form a single unit. The side walls of the divided frame are secured to-the sills B corresponding with the sills of an automobilechassis, but cut relatively shorter, and secured thereto by U-shaped bolts C, C, en'ibracing the sills and projecting through the-si e walls of the frame.

' The lower portion of each sidewall is provided with ahub A, r. in which are mount ed discsl), l), spaced apart and bearing against shoulders (6 at, formed in the hubs.

The spaced discs are provided with openings eccentric to their perimeters to receive the stub axles E, E, each provided with aflange E overlapping the outer disc, the

axles being threaded on their inner ends to receive nuts E with washers overlapping the inner disc. F designates keys projecting from key-ways in the stub shafts into correspond ing grooves provided in the discs to secure the axles against rotation in the discs; the

discs however may be rotated in the hubs A, A, of the frame shifting the axles eccentricaliy therein, the object of which will be hereafter explained. G is a sprocket wheel provided with a hub G sleeved on the spindle l of the axle titted with cone bearings H, H, of usual construction.

Ff is a nut threaded on the outer end of the spindle with a washer sleeved on the spin dle overlapping the end of the cone bearings. G is a cap screwed on the hub G I I, are traction wheels with a huh I sleeved over the hub G of the sprocket wheels G and with an outwardly extending flange 1 through which extend a plurality of bolts 1 to secure the traction wheels to the sprocket wheels.

J is the rear axle shaft of a motor vehicle made relatively shorter to adapt it for the present installation, ctuated through differential gearing not SllOWll GflClOSGCl in theg ar ase il bolted to the end of the crank case K of the engine. The rear axle shaft J is journalled in bushings J supported in a divided hub A projecting from the side walls of the fran'ie. A is a bolt extending through the divided hub to clamp it to the 7 housing enclosing the rear axle or shaft.

L is a relatively small driving sprocket wheel keyed to the shaft J, connected by a driving chain M, with the sprocket wheel G bolted to the traction wheels I, I, the slack of which may be taken up by first unscrewing the nut F on the end of the axle E sup ported by the discs D. D, eccentrically in the hubs Al, A of the frame. applying a wrench to the squared end E of the axle, the discs with the axle may be adjusted eccentrically in the hubs thereby taking up slack in the driving ehains,the nuts E are then tightened to secure the axles against displace ment.

A indicates a flange integral with with the side walls of the frame forming with a.

cover plate A bolted thereto. a case housing the sprocket wheels G- and L and the driving chain'M connecting the sprocket wheels; A denotes a felt ring lodged in an annular groove in the wall of the sprocket wheel which'bears against the cover plate A to provide a seal against the entry of dust.

N is a bracket fixture bolted to the frame having a rearwardly extending divided lug in which is clamped a vertical pivot pin ll" disposed in line with the longitudinal axis of the machine. Engaging the pi vot N a yoke-shaped casting l chambered at l to receive a worm shaft Qi sleeved upon and secured to a steering column R,supported in suitable bearings 1" carried by the cas ing P, the column being fitted with a steering wheel R at its outer end.

S denotes a segment in mesh with the teeth of the worm shaft supported upon a tran verse stub shaft S journalled in the casting P. Fitted to the squared ends of the stub shaft S are a pair ofrocking arms S piv-- oted to a link S in turn pivoted to" a vertical pin N supported in a divided lug projecting rearwardly from the bracket fixture N, bolted to the frame. The chamber P of the casting P is fitted with a removable cover P where by access may be gained to the parts enclosed therein. I

The columnR with itssteering wheel R extends rearwardly in convenient position to the drivers seat Z on the agricultural tool Z coupled to the traction apparatus; The steeringcolumn is enclosed in a drive shaft tube R of an automobile from which the power unit has been taken,thi=s tube has a flange at its forward end bolted to the cham bered casting P, and the housing R at its opposite end serves to support a bracket casting X hereinafter more fully described.

It will now be seen that upon'the adjustment of the steering wheel R carried byithe steering column, the worm gear Q, fitted to the steering column will actuate the toothed segment S, mounted on the transverse shaft S swinging the rocking arms S causing the traction apparatus to turn therel y shiftmg its direction.

T is a coupling member located below the steering column comprising a casting having a forwardly extending arm T connected by a universal joint T supported by a bracket T bolted to the frame in vertical alignment with the pivot N supported in the bracket fixture N above. The rear end of the coupling member is of substantially rectangular form with annular spaced walls T T each provided with a plurality of holes 5' registering with those of the other wall, whereby the tongue Z of the agricultural implement may extend between the walls and be secured thereto by transverse bolts t, If, extending through the tongue and walls.

The object in constructing the coupling member as shown is to adapt it to receive the tongues of various agricultural implements which may extend at different angles and altitudes from the ground. p

The rear end of the coupling member is supported in a depending bracket U sleeved upon the housing of the steering wheel shaft, its lower end supporting a universal joint U co-opcrating with the joint T or the coupling member whereby the traction device will adapt itself to any irregularities in the ground surface when coupled to a cultivator or other farm tool.

V, V V indicate the usual foot pedals diagrammatically indicated in dotted lines in Figures 1, 3, 4 and 5, controlling the reverse, clutch, high speed and brake mechanisms, the application and operation of which is well understood in automobile engineering,it is therefore not considered necessary to expand the description of the present invention to that extent as the opermechanisms are linked by a yoke TV" that they" may operate together when actuated by the" rod through the shifting of its manualcontrolling lever,

These paddles are provided with depend ing arms V severally connected through yokes \V" with the rods extending rearw'ardly to suitable manually I operated controllingleve'rs X pivoted to the quadrant X in turn supported bythe tube enclosing the steering column.-

Y is a rod supported'at one end in an extension X of the bracket X, below the steering wheel, and is fitted at its opposite end with a universal joint Y provided with a rocker arm Y connected by a link Y to one arm of a bell-crank Y in turn pivoted to a bracket secured to the trame';+tjhe" other arm of the bell-crank being connected bya rod Y to the rocker Y of the carburetor Y to control the intake of the letter Having indicated the several parts by refer'ence letters, the operation of the device will be obvious and its construction readily understood.

The tongue of the agricultural implemen to be hauled by the traction device is short ened to such an extent as will bring the drivers seatv in convenient position for the driver to operate the steering Wheel of the traction device when coupled thereto.

As the altitude of the tongue from the ground varies in different tools to "a greater or lesser extent, the rectangular coupling member is provided with a plurality of holes through its'spaced walls so that the tongue (if of wood) may be locatedbet-Ween the latter, suitable holes being bored transversely through the tongue for the passage of bolts extending through the spaced Walls of the coupling member.

The traction device is steered and governed entirely from the drivers seat on the agricultural implement, and to adapt it for different classes of farm work, wheels of relatively different tread may be mountedupon the axle Without interfering With'the Working of the device in making the change.

Having thus described my invention what I claim is: v

1. In a traction device of the character described, a frame including vertical side walls connected by integral transversewalls bolted together to form a unit, said side walls'having an integral outwardly extending flange forming the wall of a sprocket gear case; a I cover bolted to the wall of the case; hubs formed in the side walls Within the case to receive a pair of axles; apower unit supported between the side walls; a pair of short axles eccentrically mounted in the hubs of the side walls with spindles projecting beyond the hubs and through the cover of the gear cases; a pair of sprocket Wheels mounted on bearings carried by the spindles; traction wheels bolted to the sprocket wheels; a

propeller shaft driven by the power unit;

divided transverse shaft extending through the walls of the gear cases, fitted with sprock et wheels; differential gearing connecting the divided transverse shaft and propeller shaft; sprocket chains connecting the sprocket wheels of the divided shaft with the sprocket wheels bolted to the traction wheels; a felt ring lodged in an annular groove in the sprocket wheels bolted to the traction wheels,

said ring projecting outwardly and into contactwith the cover of thegear case.

2. In a traction device, a frame including spaced vertical side walls, transverse walls formed integrally'with the respective side walls and secured together at their inner opposed ends to form a unit, a pair of side sills secured to the respective side walls, casings formed on the outer faces of the side walls and being open at their outer sides, a removtionsof the casings, means for operativcly connecting the power unit with the driven shaft for actuating the latter, traction wheels on the outer ends of the stub axles, and means within each casing for operatively connect ing the ends of the driven shaft with the respective traction wheels to drive the latter.

3. In a traction device, a frame including spaced vertical side walls, transverse walls formed integrally with the side walls and secured together at their inner opposed ends to form a unit, a pair of side sills secured to the respective side walls, casings formed on the outer faces of the side walls and being open at their outer sides, a removable cover for the open side of each casing, a power unit supported on the frame between said side sills, a stub axle extending through the lower portion of each casing and its cover, a transverse driven shaft having its: ends extending into the upper rear portions of the easings, means for operatively connecting the power unit with the driven shaft for actuating the latter, traction wheels on the outer ends of the stub axles, and means within each casing for operatively connecting the ends of said driven shaft with the respective traction wheels to drive the latter, said last mentioned means comprising alined sprocket wheels arranged on the stub axles and the projecting ends of the transverse driven shaft, and a sprocket chain trained over the alined sprocket wheels. V

in testimony whereof, I sign this specification.

RALPH B. OTWELL. 

